Iodine(III)-Mediated, Controlled Di- or Monoiodination of Phenols

PIDA as an Iodinating Reagent: Visible-Light-Induced Iodination of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and Other Heteroarenes

We have developed a visible-light-mediated convenient and efficient strategy for the iodination of heteroarenes using diacetoxyiodobenzene (PIDA) under photocatalyst-free conditions. This unique approach is the first report on photocatalytic C-H iodination employing PIDA as the iodinating agent. The new photocatalyst-free strategy is applicable to a wide range of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives with various functionalities. Iodination of other electron-rich heterocycles like imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, and pyrazoles has been accomplished employing this benign protocol. The usefulness of 3-iodo pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine as a synthetic intermediate in synthesizing various functionalized pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines has been demonstrated.

Metal-Free Synthesis of 4-Bromoisoquinolines through Brominative Annulation of 2-Alkynyl Arylimidate Using In Situ-Generated Transient Bromoiodane

Herein, we report the in situ-generated transient bromoiodane-mediated brominative annulation of 2-alkynyl arylimidate for the synthesis of 4-bromoisoquinolines at room temperature. Using a simple hypervalent iodine reagent PIDA as a mild oxidant and potassium bromide as the halogen source, a broad range of valuable 4-bromoisoquinolines can be synthesized in excellent yields. The reaction features readily available chemicals, mild metal-free conditions, and high functional group tolerance, providing an efficient alternative for the construction of halogenated isoquinolines.

Multidrug Resistance Reversed by Maleimide Interactions. A Biological and Synthetic Overview for an Emerging Field

Multidrug Resistance (MDR) can be considered one of the most frightening adaptation types in bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and eukaryotic cells. It allows the organisms to survive the attack of many drugs used in the daily basis. This forces the development of new and more complex, highly specific drugs to fight diseases. Given the high usage of medicaments, poor variation in active chemical cores, and self-medication, the appearance of MDR is more frequent each time, and has been established as a serious medical and social problem. Over the years it has been possible the identification of several genes and proteins responsible for MDR and with that the development of blockers of them to reach MDR reversion and try to avoid a global problem. These mechanisms also have been observed in cancer cells, and several calcium channel blockers have been successful in MDR reversion, and the maleimide can be found included in them. In this review, we explore particularly the tree main proteins involved in cancer chemoresistance, MRP1 (encoded by ABCC1), BCRP (encoded by ABCG2) and P-gp (encoded by ABCB1). The participation of P-gp is remarkably important, and several aspects of its regulations are discussed. Additionally, we address the history, mechanisms, reversion efforts, and we specifically focused on the maleimide synthesis as MDR-reversers in co-administration, as well as on how their biological applications are imperative to expand the available information and explore a very plausible MDR reversion source.

Recent Progress in Synthetic Applications of Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents

Hypervalent iodine(III) compounds have found wide application in modern organic chemistry as environmentally friendly reagents and catalysts. Hypervalent iodine reagents are commonly used in synthetically important halogenations, oxidations, aminations, heterocyclizations, and various oxidative functionalizations of organic substrates. Iodonium salts are important arylating reagents, while iodonium ylides and imides are excellent carbene and nitrene precursors. Various derivatives of benziodoxoles, such as azidobenziodoxoles, trifluoromethylbenziodoxoles, alkynylbenziodoxoles, and alkenylbenziodoxoles have found wide application as group transfer reagents in the presence of transition metal catalysts, under metal-free conditions, or using photocatalysts under photoirradiation conditions. Development of hypervalent iodine catalytic systems and discovery of highly enantioselective reactions using chiral hypervalent iodine compounds represent a particularly important recent achievement in the field of hypervalent iodine chemistry. Chemical transformations promoted by hypervalent iodine in many cases are unique and cannot be performed by using any other common, non-iodine-based reagent. This review covers literature published mainly in the last 7-8 years, between 2016 and 2024.

HCl/DMSO/HFIP-Mediated Chlorination of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and Other Electron-Rich Heteroarenes

An efficient oxidative chlorination of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines has been established using HCl (aq) as the chlorine source and DMSO as the terminal oxidant in HFIP at ambient temperature. A variety of chlorinated pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives have been prepared readily in 23 to 99% yields. This chlorination strategy can be expanded to the functionalization of other electron-rich heteroarenes including substituted pyrroles, indoles, and naphthols.

Divergent role of PIDA and PIFA in the AlX3 (X = Cl, Br) halogenation of 2-naphthol: a mechanistic study

The reaction mechanism for the chlorination and bromination of 2-naphthol with PIDA or PIFA and AlX3 (X = Cl, Br), previously reported by our group, was elucidated via quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory. The chlorination mechanism using PIFA and AlCl3 demonstrated a better experimental and theoretical yield compared to using PIDA. Additionally, the lowest-energy chlorinating species was characterized by an equilibrium of Cl-I(Ph)-OTFA-AlCl3 and [Cl-I(Ph)][OTFA-AlCl3], rather than PhICl2 being the active species. On the other hand, bromination using PIDA and AlBr3 was more efficient, wherein the intermediate Br-I(Ph)-OAc-AlBr3 was formed as active brominating species. Similarly, PhIBr2 was higher in energy than our proposed species. The reaction mechanisms are described in detail in this work and were found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental yield. These initial results confirmed that our proposed mechanism was energetically favored and therefore more plausible compared to halogenation via PhIX2.

Ningalins, Pyrrole-Bearing Metabolites Isolated from Didemnum spp. Synthesis and MDR-Reversion Activity in Cancer Therapy

Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) is one of the most frequent problems observed in the course of cancer chemotherapy. Cells under treatment, tend to develop survival mechanisms to drug-action thus generating drug-resistance. One of the most important mechanism to get it is the over expression of P-gp glycoprotein, which acts as an efflux-pump releasing the drug outside of the cancer cell. A strategy for a succesfull treatment consists in the co-administration of one compound that acts against P-gp and another which acts against the cell during chemotherapy. Ningalins are pyrrole-containing naturally occurring compounds isolated mainly from the marine tunicate Didemnum spp and also they are some of the top reversing agents in MDR treatment acting on P-gp. Considering the relevance displayed for some of these isolated alkaloids or their core as a drug for co-administration in cancer therapy, all the total synthesis described to date for the members of ningalins family are reviewed herein.

[2+2+1+1] Cycloaddition for de novo Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Phenols

A unique benzannulation strategy for regioselective de novo synthesis of densely functionalized phenols is described. Through metal-mediated formal [2+2+1+1] cycloaddition of two different alkynes and two molecules of CO, a series of densely functionalized phenols were obtained. The benzannulation strategy allows efficient regioselective installation up to five different substituents on a phenol ring. The resulting phenols have a substitution pattern different from those obtained from Dötz and Danheiser benzannulations.

POCl3/Sulfoxide and AcCl/Sulfoxide Mediated Chlorination of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

We have developed an efficient chlorination of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives using POCl3 as the chlorine source and tetramethylene sulfoxide as a promoter. A series of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines, polysubstituted pyrroles, and naphthols have been readily chlorinated under mild reaction conditions (26 examples, up to >99% yield). AcCl can also act as the chlorine source competently in this chlorination reaction.

K2S2O8-Promoted Consecutive Tandem Cyclization/Oxidative Halogenation: Access to 3-Halo-Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

A one-pot methodology has been developed to synthesize 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives through the three-component reaction of amino pyrazoles, enaminones (or chalcone), and sodium halides. The use of easily accessible 1,3-biselectrophilic reagents like enaminones and chalcone offers a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. The reaction proceeded through a cyclocondensation reaction between amino pyrazoles with enaminones/chalcone in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ followed by oxidative halogenations by NaX-K₂S₂O₈. Mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions, wide functional group tolerance, and scalability of the reaction are the attractive facet of this protocol. The combination of NaX-K₂S₂O₈ is also beneficial for the direct oxidative halogenations of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in water.

Metformin, a biological and synthetic overview

Metformin is the most widely known anti-hyperglycemic, officially acquired by the USA government in 1995 and in 2001 it became the most prescribed treatment for type II diabetes. But how did it become the must-use drug for this disease in such a short period of time? it all started with traditional medicine, by using a plant known as "goat's rue" for the reduction of blood glucose levels. Its use arose in 1918 and evolved to the metformin synthesis in laboratories a couple of years later, using very rudimentary methods which involved melting and strong heating. Thus, a first synthetic route that allowed the preparation of the initial metformin derivates was established. Some of these resulted toxics, and others outperformed the metformin, reducing the blood glucose levels in such efficient way. Nevertheless, the risk and documented cases of lactic acidosis increased with metformin derivatives like buformin and phenformin. Recently, metformin has been widely studied, and it has been associated and tested in the treatment of type II diabetes, cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cell differentiation to oligodendrocytes, reduction of oxidative stress in cells, weight reduction, as anti-inflammatory and even in the recent COVID-19 disease. Herein we briefly review and analyze the history, synthesis, and biological applications of metformin and its derivates.

Synthesis of 3-Haloindoles via Cascade Oxidative Cyclization/Halogenation of 2-Alkenylanilines Mediated by PIDA and LiBr/KI

The treatment of 2-alkenylanilines with phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) and LiBr or KI in HFIP was found to afford the corresponding 3-haloindoles via cascade oxidative cyclization/halogenation encompassing oxidative C-N/C-X (X = Br, I) bond formations. A plausible mechanism involving the in situ formation of the reactive AcO-X (X = Br, I) from the reaction of PIDA and LiBr/KI was postulated.

Iodine(III) reagents for oxidative aromatic halogenation

Iodine(III) reagents have attracted chemical relvance in organic synthesis by their use as safe, non-toxic, green and easy to handle reagents in different transformations. These characteristics make them important alternatives to procedures involving hazardous and harsh reaction conditions. Their versatility as oxidants has been exploited in the functionalization of different aromatic cores, which allow the introduction of several groups. Metal-free arylation using iodine(III) reagents is by far one of the most described topics in the literature; however, other highly relevant non-aromatic groups have been also introduced. Herein, we summarize the most representative developed procedures for the functionalization of aryls and heteroaryls by introducing halogens, using different iodine(III) reagents.

Electrochemical C-H Halogenations of Enaminones and Electron-Rich Arenes with Sodium Halide (NaX) as Halogen Source for the Synthesis of 3-Halochromones and Haloarenes

Without employing an external oxidant, the simple synthesis of 3-halochromones and various halogenated electron-rich arenes has been realized with electrode oxidation by employing the simplest sodium halide (NaX, X = Cl, Br, I) as halogen source. This electrochemical method is advantageous for the simple and mild room temperature operation, environmental friendliness as well as broad substrate scope in both C-H bond donor and halogen source components.

NCBSI/KI: A Reagent System for Iodination of Aromatics through In Situ Generation of I-Cl

In situ iodine monochloride (I-Cl) generation followed by iodination of aromatics using NCBSI/KI system has been developed. The NCBSI reagent requires no activation due to longer bond length, lower bond dissociation energy, and higher absolute charge density on nitrogen. The system is adequate for mono- and diiodination of a wide range of moderate to highly activated arenes with good yield and purity. Moreover, the precursor N-(benzenesulfonyl)benzenesulfonamide can be recovered and transformed to NCBSI, making the protocol eco-friendly and cost-effective.

C-5 selective chlorination of 8-aminoquinoline amides using dichloromethane

An oxidant-free electrochemical regioselective chlorination of 8-aminoquinoline amides at ambient temperature in batch and continuous-flow was achieved. Inert DCM was used as the chlorinating reagent. Owing to the continuous-flow setup, the reaction scale up can be achieved conveniently with higher productivity. Moreover, this method has good position-control, and water and air tolerance. Costly quaternary ammonium salts were avoided. Radical-trapping, H/D exchange, KIE and cyclic voltammetry experiments were conducted to gain insight into the reaction mechanism.

The Diaryliodonium(III) Salts Reaction With Free-Radicals Enables One-Pot Double Arylation of Naphthols

The chemoselective reaction of the C- followed by the O-centered naphthyl radicals with the more electron-deficient hypervalent bond of the diaryliodonium(III) salts is described. This discovered reactivity constitutes a new activation mode of the diaryliodonium(III) salts which enabled a one-pot doubly arylation of naphthols through the sequentialC s p 2 -C s p 2 /O-C s p 2 bond formation. The naphthyl radicals were generated in the reaction by the tetramethylpiperidinyl radical (TMP·) which resulted from the homolytic fragmentation of the precursor TMP2O. Experimental and DFT calculations provided a complete panorama of the reaction mechanism.

Photo-mediated synthesis of halogenated spiro[4,5]trienones of N-aryl alkynamides with PhI(OCOCF3)2 and KBr/KCl

A novel and convenient photo-mediated halogenated spirocyclization of N-(p-methoxyaryl)propiolamides has been developed. The photolysis of phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) as an iodination reagent led to iodinated ipso-cyclization under the irradiation of a xenon lamp, while brominated ipso-cyclization or chlorinated ipso-cyclization was achieved by irradiating a mixture of PIFA and KBr/KCl under a blue LED. The present protocol simply utilizes light as the safe and clean energy source and doesn't require any external photocatalyst providing various 3-halospiro[4,5]trienones in good to excellent yields (up to 93%).